"Although the economy has improved significantly, it has still required us to work harder and smarter for our business," management at Minneapolis-based Apres says.

"The future growth of our company continues to look very positive," they add, as they are seeing a steady increase in corporate, public and private events.

"The addition of several profiles of structure tents has positioned our company to provide tenting for all market segments," says management of Texas-based Bratt Productions.

"We have also invested heavily in tabletop, adding four new patterns of china, two patterns of dinnerware, and Riedel stemware. With these additions, we truly can serve our customers from tent top to tabletop!"

What's flying out of the warehouse: BRATT's "industrial" line of gunmetal tables, chairs and benches, they say.

Los Angeles-based Classic Party Rentals says lounge furniture is a hot item for a variety of events and big for wedding receptions, they say, adding, "Our exclusive Lucca china line and Capri rose gold and black matte flatware are popular rentals."

Rustic is still trending, especially natural wood rentals such as CPR's Vineyard dining chairs and farm tables, Classic management says.

Chicago-based M&M says, "Corporate clients have returned and are nearing their pre-recession spending levels."

"Social business--weddings, mitzvahs, parties--continues as a strong base, and our college, hospital and foodservice clients are growing exponentially."

"Lounge furniture, lighting and linen continue to be the mainstays of most events," M&M says.

"Our floral and non-floral decor continues to grow, which enables us to offer the client a seamless event, getting everything from a single resource."

Austin, Texas-based Marquee Event Group says, "Clients continue to search for unique, customized products not previously available: "The market drivers are being easy to work with, providing quality rental equipment, and outstanding customer service."

"Events continue to do better than the economy," Marquee management says. "Events will continue to show an upswing for the next year. As the economy recovers, events will accelerate and continue to outperform the economy."

Party Reflections of Charlotte, N.C., notes that hot items include farm tables, benches, crystal and other unique chandeliers, custom linen sizes and applications, specialty glassware, unique custom furniture, vintage pieces, custom tent liners and draping, custom bars, and kitchen equipment for client caterers.

"We are even more optimistic about our opportunities for growth in all of our markets for 2016," management says. "The increasing sophistication of the rental industry continues to escalate the value of partnership with an experienced and trusted rental provider."  

Party Rental Ltd. of Teterboro, N.J. notes that the rustic, vintage-inspired look is still extremely popular, they say.

"Our crossback chairs have been so popular that we recently introduced a coordinating barstool.  We also launched a new wood table, the Mason dining table, which is a darker, sleeker alternative to the popular distressed farm tables." 

Clients are also looking for unique, stylized pieces that add a pop of personality among the classic staple items; "We just brought in gray metal bistro chairs and barstools, which are French café-inspired--and already extremely popular--and our new Roma glassware line, which add pops of color and a Tuscan feel," says management at Party Rental Ltd.

What's hot: Rustic furniture, such as farm tables, cabanas, benches and burlap, along with custom hanging lighting fixtures.

Classic black and white with pops of color stays strong, and "Retro Modern" is in right now, says management at Phoenix-based Pro Em.

An elegant bar from Pro Em.

"As the economy continues to rebound, we are seeing a resurgence in discretionary spend by companies relative to sponsorship dollars and corresponding support of special events as well as people getting out and going to those events," management says. "This is great not only for the rental industry but for our specialized vendors, who are always on the cutting edge of new technology relative to lighting, sound production and decor. The emergence of major music festivals across the country is a great example of this trend. From all indications of our major event partners and sales forecast for 2016, we see this exciting trend continuing."

All things gold will continue to be hot for 2016, but in softer brushed finishes and antiqued fabrications, says the team at Rentals Unlimited of Stoughton, Mass.

Blush and other "barely there" shades such as opal and quartz will redefine “romantic” in the coming year, they say. 

Natural linen-like fabrics, vintage inspired florals and revised classics such as  ginghams, plaids and checks paired with rough hewn tables, woven and metal chairs and mix and match tabletop elements will define “Modern Bohemian” as the new “it” category for 2016 with its eclectic selections of textures, finishes and patterns that blend effortlessly to create truly unique events, says Rentals Unlimited.

“Wooden harvest tables were first in demand for weddings, but we’ve seen this trend spill into the corporate sector this year as more companies place emphasis on natural, renewable elements," says Special Event Rentals of Edmonton, Alberta.

“Chiavari chairs remain a constant favorite, but the demand for a new look was evident last year. We invested in some new chair styles like the Ellio and Phoenix, and they are renting extremely well," says Special Event Rentals.

Tents still make events: "Even beyond the structure itself, our clients want to customize the interior. This trend has increased the demand for café lighting and Edison bulb lighting as well as voile draping. Clients want to beautify the space and make it unique.”

What's hot: Full-color printed graphics, unique floor coverings,  curved-beam structures, mono-pitch structures, and low pitch roof systems, they say, along with glass walls with printed custom graphics, colored tinting, frosted, and mirrored finishes. Highly customized event structures with stadium entrances, porches, mezzanines, patio extensions, recessed gables, curved sections, and printed graphics on the tops and gable ends allow discerning clients to create their tented environments from the ground up, says management at Florida-based TentLogix.

Highly customized and fully engineered tenting solutions will continue to be the trend for the high-end event market; they say, along with unique event furnishings, vintage items, alternative materials and the introduction of new products currently not available to the rental market continue to be hot trends, says TentLogix.

London-based Thorns says that with an increasing trend for metal bar furniture, industrial designs and geometrical patterns, "We have introduced some fantastic funky designs and colors to our vast selection of furniture," including high stools and tables, lounge furniture and occasional seating and tables.

"We are continuing to work very closely with our clients offering not just equipment hire but creative consultation and project management," Thorns says. "We have delivered some fantastic-looking events where our equipment has become part of the brand experience."

"Our new line of Sonoma dining tables and bars, large custom decor pieces, and translucent bamboo lantern tents are in very big demand," says management at Van Nuys, Calif.-based Town and Country Event Rentals, in addition to large tent structures and custom leveled flooring.

"Both large- and small-scale parties and events are getting more complex and last minute," says Town and Country. "If you don’t make plans and have the infrastructure or the inventory to handle the curve balls, you’ll strike out."